US8779995B2 - High-frequency waveguide and phase shifter using same, radiator, electronic device which uses this phase shifter and radiator, antenna device, and electronic device equipped with same - Google Patents

High-frequency waveguide and phase shifter using same, radiator, electronic device which uses this phase shifter and radiator, antenna device, and electronic device equipped with same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US8779995B2
US8779995B2 US13/122,270 US200913122270A US8779995B2 US 8779995 B2 US8779995 B2 US 8779995B2 US 200913122270 A US200913122270 A US 200913122270A US 8779995 B2 US8779995 B2 US 8779995B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
waveguide
ridge
frequency
conductors
phase shifter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related, expires
Application number
US13/122,270
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20110187614A1 (en
Inventor
Hideki Kirino
Isao Yamamoto
Masashi Watanabe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Panasonic Corp
Original Assignee
Panasonic Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Panasonic Corp filed Critical Panasonic Corp
Assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION reassignment PANASONIC CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KIRINO, HIDEKI, YAMAMOTO, ISAO, WATANABE, MASASHI
Publication of US20110187614A1 publication Critical patent/US20110187614A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US8779995B2 publication Critical patent/US8779995B2/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
    • H01P1/00—Auxiliary devices
    • H01P1/18—Phase-shifters
    • H01P1/182—Waveguide phase-shifters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/02—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S13/00
    • G01S7/03—Details of HF subsystems specially adapted therefor, e.g. common to transmitter and receiver
    • G01S7/032—Constructional details for solid-state radar subsystems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01P—WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
    • H01P3/00—Waveguides; Transmission lines of the waveguide type
    • H01P3/12—Hollow waveguides
    • H01P3/123—Hollow waveguides with a complex or stepped cross-section, e.g. ridged or grooved waveguides
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/32—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles
    • H01Q1/3208—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the application wherein the antenna is used
    • H01Q1/3233—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the application wherein the antenna is used particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/32—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles
    • H01Q1/325—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle
    • H01Q1/3291—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/10—Resonant slot antennas
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/0006—Particular feeding systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
    • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/30—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array
    • H01Q3/32—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array by mechanical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S13/93—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes
    • G01S13/931—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
    • G01S2013/9327—Sensor installation details
    • G01S2013/93271—Sensor installation details in the front of the vehicles
    • G01S2013/9375—

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a high-frequency waveguide and a phase shifter in which this is used, to a radiator, to an electronic device in which this phase shifter and radiator are used, and to an antenna device and an electronic device equipped with this.
  • a high-frequency waveguide used as a transmission path for high-frequency energy is constituted by combining first and second waveguide constituting bodies.
  • first and second waveguide constituting bodies each provided with a groove are integrated in a state in which the openings of the grooves are aligned, which constitutes a high-frequency waveguide.
  • Patent Literature 1 Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2004-48486.
  • Patent Literature 1 Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2004-48486
  • Patent Literature 2 Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2002-223113
  • the problem with the above prior art was that high-frequency energy leaked from the high-frequency waveguide.
  • the above-mentioned first and second waveguide constituting bodies are such that flanges provided around the outside of their grooves are integrated by welding or fastened with screws. If a gap should be formed in this process during a work error, then high-frequency energy will end up leaking from that portion.
  • the present invention employs a structure having a ridge in the middle of what is known as a waffle iron structure, equipped with first and second conductors and columnar protrusions.
  • the first and second conductors are disposed facing each other at a spacing of less than ⁇ 0 /2, where the free space wavelength of the operating frequency of a high-frequency signal is ⁇ 0 .
  • the ridge protrudes from one of the first and second conductors toward the other in a waveguide formation portion formed between the first and second conductors, and is formed extending along the waveguide formation portion.
  • a plurality of the columnar protrusions have a height of ⁇ 0 /4 and are disposed at a spacing of less than ⁇ 0 /2, on at least one of the first and second conductors on the outside of the waveguide formation portion and to the outside of the ridge.
  • a ridge is provided that protrudes from one of the first and second conductors toward the other in a waveguide formation portion formed between the first and second conductors, and is formed extending along the waveguide formation portion. Consequently, an electric field is concentrated between this ridge and the conductors facing it, and high-frequency energy moves in a direction perpendicular to this electric field, that is, in the lengthwise direction of the ridge. As a result, leakage of high-frequency energy outside the waveguide formation portion is much less likely to occur.
  • a plurality of columnar protrusions with a height of ⁇ 0 /4 are disposed at a spacing of less than ⁇ 0 /2 on at least one of the first and second conductors on the outside of the waveguide formation portion and to the outside of the ridge. Consequently, since a plurality of columnar protrusions are provided as mentioned above to the waveguide formation portion to the outside of this ridge, even if high-frequency energy should move to the outside of the ridge, movement of the high-frequency energy to the outside of the waveguide formation portion can be prevented. As a result, leakage of high-frequency energy can be effectively prevented.
  • Radar devices have come to be installed in automobiles in recent years for the purpose of collision avoidance, lane distance control, and so forth. These radar devices can take measurements even when the automobile is going around a curve, so a detection angle of about 15 degrees to the left and right (a total of 30 degrees) is needed.
  • One way to obtain this detection angle has been to use a configuration in which an antenna body is disposed in front of a transceiver via a waveguide body, and the antenna body is made movable to the left and right with respect to the waveguide body.
  • Patent Literature 2 Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2002-223113
  • the antenna apparatus ended up being bulky. Specifically, to obtain the above-mentioned large detection angle of about 15 degrees to the left and right with an antenna apparatus, the antenna body must be extremely large. An antenna apparatus including a configuration in which such a large antenna body is driven to the left and right ends up being quite bulky when its movable space is included.
  • the present invention comprises an antenna body, a stationary waveguide body, a movable waveguide body, and a transceiver.
  • the antenna body has first and second radiation element groups having radiation element rows including a plurality of radiation elements disposed at a specific spacing.
  • the movable waveguide body forms a waveguide body between itself and the stationary waveguide body, and moves relatively with respect to the stationary waveguide body.
  • the transceiver is provided to the rear of the antenna body, via the waveguide body.
  • the plurality of waveguides provided to the movable waveguide body has a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and a third waveguide.
  • the first waveguide is constituted by a plurality of waveguides corresponding to the first radiation element group.
  • the second waveguide is constituted by a plurality of waveguides corresponding to the second radiation element group.
  • the third waveguide is such that the phase difference in the first and second radiation element groups between the radiation element rows of the first radiation element group and the radiation element rows of the second radiation element group, which are adjacent to one another, is matched to be the same as the phase difference between the mutually adjacent other radiation element rows included in the first and second radiation element groups.
  • the antenna body is a stationary type
  • the waveguide body disposed to its rear is a movable type, which allows a wider detection angle to be obtained. Accordingly, the size is much smaller than when the antenna body itself is made movable within the apparatus.
  • the constitution of the above-mentioned first, second, and third waveguides shortens the distance between the first and second radiation element groups to be about the same as the distance between adjacent transmission and reception openings. Thus, this prevents the scattering of radio waves in unnecessary directions, which increases as the distance grows between the first and second radiation element groups.
  • FIG. 1 is an oblique view of an automobile to which an embodiment of the present invention has been applied;
  • FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the antenna apparatus pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded oblique view of the antenna apparatus pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross section of a basic waveguide pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an oblique view of a basic waveguide pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is an oblique view of a waveguide having a through-hole pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is an oblique view of a phase shifter in an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross section of a laminated type of variable phase shifter pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross section of a laminated type of fixed phase shifter pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is an oblique view of a sixth plate body as seen from the rear;
  • FIG. 11 is an oblique view of a fifth plate body as seen from the rear;
  • FIG. 12 is an oblique view of a fifth plate body as seen from the front;
  • FIG. 13 is an oblique view of a fourth plate body as seen from the rear;
  • FIG. 14 is an oblique view of a fourth plate body as seen from the front;
  • FIG. 15 is an oblique view of a third plate body as seen from the rear;
  • FIG. 16 is an oblique view of a third plate body as seen from the front;
  • FIG. 17 is an oblique view of a second plate body as seen from the rear;
  • FIG. 18 is an oblique view of a second plate body as seen from the front;
  • FIG. 19 is an oblique view of a first plate body as seen from the front;
  • FIG. 20 is an exploded oblique view of a fourth plate body
  • FIG. 21 is a layout diagram of the phase shifter of a beam variable antenna pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 22 is a phase relation diagram for a beam variable antenna pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 23 is an oblique view of a high-frequency waveguide in which the ridge height is variable periodically;
  • FIG. 24 is a wavelength graph of a high-frequency waveguide in which the ridge height is variable periodically;
  • FIG. 25 is an oblique view of a radiator that makes use of a high-frequency waveguide in which the ridge height is variable periodically;
  • FIG. 26 is a directionality graph when the distance between radiation elements is varied
  • FIG. 27 is a layout diagram for a phase shifter of a beam variable antenna pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 28 a and 28 b are a side cross section and a plan view of a plate body, illustrating a configuration in which the dimensions (height and width) in the lengthwise direction of the ridge pertaining to another embodiment of the present invention are varied.
  • 1 is an automobile body, and four tires 2 are provided under this automobile body 1 .
  • These tires 2 are rotationally driven by an engine (not shown) installed under a hood 3 of the automobile body 1 .
  • a panel (not shown) for controlling the operation of the tires 2 is provided within the vehicle interior 4 .
  • the antenna apparatus 6 shown in FIG. 2 is provided above a bumper 5 on the front face side of the automobile body 1 .
  • radio waves of 76.5 GHz are emitted from the front face side of the automobile body 1 , over left and right ranges (such as 15 degrees, or a total of 30 degrees) horizontally from the center with respect to the forward range (such as 150 meters), while the angle thereof is successively scanned back and forth.
  • the antenna apparatus 6 receives reflected waves from up to 150 meters ahead at the angle at which the waves were emitted, so that any objects (such as other automobiles, debris, or the like that is ahead) and so forth are detected within a range of 150 meters ahead, and this information is used for various controls over the automobile body 1 .
  • this can be control in which debris is detected in the road ahead, and a warning is given in the interior 4 , for example.
  • the antenna apparatus 6 shown in FIG. 2 is constituted by various parts as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the orientation of the parts in FIG. 3 corresponds to that in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
  • 7 is an antenna body, and a transceiver 9 is disposed to the rear of this antenna body 7 via a waveguide body 8 . Also, a cover (a radio wave-transmissible cover) 10 is disposed in front of the antenna body 7 , and a case 11 is disposed to the rear of the transceiver 9 .
  • the antenna body 7 is made up of two plate-like members comprising a plate body 12 and a plate body 13 .
  • the waveguide body 8 is made up of five plate-like members comprising the plate body 13 , a plate body 14 , a plate body 15 , a plate body 16 , and a plate body 17 .
  • the transceiver 9 is made up of a substrate base 18 , a controller 19 , and an RF circuit board 20 .
  • the reason that the plate body 13 is included in both the antenna body 7 and the waveguide body 8 is that the front side of the plate body 13 is used as the antenna body 7 , while the rear side is used as the waveguide body 8 .
  • the plate bodies 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , and 17 are each provided with columnar protrusions, ridges, and through-holes (for interlayer connection) as discussed below (see FIGS. 10 to 19 ).
  • the plate bodies 12 and 13 of the antenna body 7 , as well as the plate bodies 14 , 15 , 16 , and 17 of the waveguide body 8 are maintained in a state of being separated at a specific spacing.
  • the plate body 15 of the waveguide body 8 has a disk shape, and is configured such that the plate body 14 and the plate body 16 move rotationally with a specific spacing between them, around the center of the disk. Consequently, the desired detection angle can be ensured to the left and right merely by rotationally driving the disk-shaped plate body 15 . Since there is no need for the antenna body to be made movable as in the past, the configuration can be simplified.
  • the phase shifter and the high-frequency waveguide are constituted inside the antenna body 7 and the waveguide body 8 so that even in a state in which the above-mentioned plate bodies 12 to 17 are separated by a specific gap, the high-frequency energy supplied from the transceiver 9 will not be scattered in the surroundings, but will be phase controlled and allocated by an antenna plate 12 .
  • FIG. 4 is a cross section illustrating the basic operating principle of the high-frequency waveguide and the phase shifter, while FIG. 5 is an oblique view thereof.
  • the high-frequency waveguide in this embodiment is formed by two conductors disposed in parallel at a spacing of less than ⁇ 0 /2 (where ⁇ 0 is the free space wavelength of the operating frequency of a high-frequency signal), that is, a lower conductor 22 (first conductor, second conductor) and an upper conductor 23 (second conductor, first conductor).
  • the high-frequency waveguide has a so-called waffle iron structure, in which columnar protrusions 24 (protrusions for preventing electromagnetic wave leakage) with a height of approximately ⁇ 0 4/ are disposed two-dimensionally on the surface of the lower conductor 22 (one of the conductors) at a spacing of ⁇ 0 /2 between each other.
  • a ridge 25 formed continuously along the transmission path of high-frequency energy is provided on the inside of this waffle iron structure.
  • the ridge 25 is provided to a waveguide formation portion between the lower conductor 22 and the upper conductor 23 .
  • a plurality of the columnar protrusions 24 are provided on the outside of this ridge 25 and on the outside of the waveguide formation portion.
  • the two conductors 22 and 23 disposed in parallel at a spacing of less than ⁇ 0 /2 operate as a parallel plate waveguide that transmits only a basic mode having only a perpendicular electric field to the conductors.
  • the gaps between the columnar protrusions 24 are equivalent to a transmission path whose distal ends have been short-circuited by the lower conductor 22 .
  • the region of the gaps between the columnar protrusions 24 in a plane 26 that connects the distal ends of the columnar protrusions 24 with a height of ⁇ 0 /4 as shown in FIG. 4 is equivalent to a magnetic wall with which an electric field cannot be present in a direction perpendicular to this plane.
  • the structure in FIGS. 4 and 5 is inherently a parallel plate waveguide that can transmit high-frequency energy (radio waves) resulting from an electric field perpendicular to the two conductors 22 and 23 .
  • a waffle iron structure in which the columnar protrusions 24 with a height of ⁇ 0 /4 are disposed two-dimensionally a characteristic is that high-frequency energy cannot be transmitted.
  • the reason for specifying the gap between the columnar protrusions 24 to be less than ⁇ 0 /2 is to prevent a higher-order transmission mode from occurring in the gaps between the columnar protrusions 24 , and reliably obtain the characteristic whereby high-frequency energy cannot be transmitted.
  • the structure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 functions as a basic waveguide capable of efficiently transmitting high-frequency energy along the ridge, without scattering it to the surroundings.
  • the proportion of voltage and current in the transmitted high-frequency energy can be varied by varying the height in the lengthwise direction of the ridge 25 (see FIG. 23 ), or by varying the width in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction (see FIG. 28 ).
  • impedance paths of difference characteristics can be produced. That is, if the width is varied or the height is varied in the lengthwise direction of the ridge 25 , the size of the capacity component (C) formed between the conductor 23 and the opposing ridge 25 can be varied. As a result, impedance paths of difference characteristics can be easily produced.
  • a branched line can also be easily produced by dividing the ridge 25 into a plurality of segments in its extension direction (more specifically, into a T shape) (see FIG. 11 ).
  • the high-frequency waveguide of this embodiment is used in an antenna feeder circuit with numerous couplings or branches, such as a milliwave on-board radar, both production and assembly will be simple, with no worry about poor contact due to aging, and a low-loss antenna apparatus can be obtained.
  • FIG. 6 shows a structure in which through-holes 27 a and 27 b are provided in a direction perpendicular to the waveguide formation portion in order to use the above-mentioned high-frequency waveguide in laminated form.
  • 27 a and 27 b are through-holes through which the high-frequency energy leaves and enters the upper and lower layers
  • 28 is a choke structure for efficiently transmitting high-frequency energy to the through-holes 27 a and 27 b as well as blocking the transmission of high-frequency energy in the direction in which the ridge 25 extends.
  • This structure comprises a waveguide with an open distal end of ⁇ R /4 (where ⁇ R is the wavelength of a radio wave that transmits the waveguide formation portion from the ends of the through-holes 27 a and 27 b , and a plurality of columnar protrusions 24 with a height of approximately ⁇ 0 /4 disposed on the outside of the waveguide in which said distal end is opened.
  • a position where there has been movement to a length of ⁇ R /4 of the waveguide with the opened distal end is equivalent with a short-circuited state. Accordingly, the waveguide wall of the through-hole 27 is short circuited with the ridge 25 . Thus, high-frequency energy is efficiently transmitted from the ridge 25 to the through-hole 27 .
  • the columnar protrusions 24 with a height of ⁇ 0 /4 disposed on the outside of the waveguide with the opened distal end reduce leakage from the distal end of the waveguide, and are provided to achieve a more ideal open state.
  • FIG. 7 shows a structure in which the shape of the through-hole to the upper layer on one side of the ridge 25 has been designed such that a waveguide is obtained even if the lower conductor 22 and the upper conductor 23 should slide relative to each other.
  • 27 a and 27 b are through-holes through which the high-frequency energy leaves and enters the upper and lower layers
  • 29 is a choke structure provided to the upper conductor 23 to efficiently transmit high-frequency energy to the through-hole 27 b as well as blocking the transmission of high-frequency energy in the direction in which the ridge 25 extends.
  • This choke structure 29 is such that a plurality of waveguide-shaped grooves, which have a depth of approximately ⁇ W /4 and which are short-circuited at the distal ends, are disposed, with the ⁇ R /4 position at the front, where ⁇ R is the wavelength on the waveguide from the end of the through-hole 27 b to the upper layer.
  • ⁇ W the in-guide wavelength of the groove at the waveguide formation portion.
  • the entrance to waveguide-shaped grooves provided to the upper conductor 23 having a depth of approximately ⁇ W /4 and which are short-circuited at the distal ends, is equivalent to an open state. Accordingly, return current is blocked at the lower face of the upper conductor 23 that makes a pair with the current flowing over the ridge 25 at this position, and the impedance is open at this position.
  • the through-hole 27 b provided at a position of ⁇ R /4 from this position, the ridge and the waveguide wall of the through-hole 27 b is equivalent to a short circuit. As a result, high-frequency energy is efficiently transmitted from the ridge 25 to the through-hole 27 b.
  • the reason for disposing a plurality of waveguide-shaped grooves which have a depth of approximately ⁇ W /4 and which are short-circuited at the distal ends is to suppress the leakage of current that jumps out of the waveguide-shaped grooves, and achieve a more ideal open state.
  • phase shifter in this embodiment, the features of the high-frequency waveguide shown in FIG. 6 are retained. Consequently, the high-frequency energy is not scattered to the surroundings, and coupling between adjacent phase shifters can also be kept low. Furthermore, production and assembly will be simple, with no worry about poor contact due to aging. In particular, a low-loss phase shifter can be realized in the milliwave band of an onboard radar or the like.
  • phase shifter Next, a specific example of a phase shifter will be described, corresponding to a description using the actual drawings discussed below.
  • FIG. 8 shows a cross section of a structure in which two of the phase shifters shown in FIG. 7 are used, and lower conductors 22 a and 22 b of the two phase shifters are laminated back to back, wherein this structure is cut along ridges 25 a and 25 b .
  • the upper and lower conductors 23 a and 23 b are fixed to each other, and an intermediate conductor in which the conductors 22 a and 22 b are integrated is slid in the direction of the arrow 30 in the drawing. Consequently, the waveguide length between through-holes 27 ba and 27 bb (between A-A) varies via through-holes 27 aa and 27 ab (linking path).
  • the structure operations as a variable phase shifter that varies the phase of high-frequency energy passing between A-A. That is, the phase shifter in FIG. 8 is distinguished from the phase shifter in FIG. 7 in that the positions of the two input/output terminals (the through-holes 27 ba and 27 bb ) of the phase shifter indicated by A in FIG. 8 do not vary during operation of the phase shifter, and that the phase shift is twice the amount of relative sliding of the intermediate conductor.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross section of a structure in which two of the phase shifters shown in FIG. 7 are used, and lower conductors 22 a and 22 b of the two phase shifters are laminated back to back, wherein this structure is cut along ridges 25 a and 25 b .
  • the left and right orientation of the two phase shifters is the opposite of that in FIG. 8 . Consequently, even when the intermediate conductor is slid in the direction of the arrow 30 in the drawing, there is no change in the waveguide length between the through-holes 27 ba and 27 bb (between B-B) via the through-holes 27 aa and 27 ab (linking paths).
  • this structure can operate as a fixed phase shifter that does not change the phase of the high-frequency energy passing through B-B.
  • this can be used in application where the goal is to allow the high-frequency energy to pass through, but with no change in the phase, between the upper and lower conductors 23 a and 23 b.
  • phase shifter and high-frequency waveguide described above are used inside the waveguide body 8 and the antenna body 7 of the antenna apparatus 6 in this embodiment.
  • phase shifter having the structure shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is used for a phase array antenna that has a plurality of phase shifters (such as an onboard radar) and with which the ratio of the amount of shift between the plurality of phase shifters is kept constant while the amounts are simultaneously varied
  • the constitution is as follows.
  • the lower conductor 22 and the upper conductor 23 are not slid directly, and a plurality of phase shifters in which the ridge 25 of FIG. 7 is arc-shaped are disposed in concentric circles with the same radius ratio, as shown in the detail diagrams of the plate bodies 12 to 17 , as discussed below.
  • a movable conductor plate (plate body 15 ) and stationary conductor plate (plate bodies 14 and 16 ) corresponding to the lower conductor 22 and upper conductor 23 in FIG. 7 are moved rotationally parallel to each other, with the rotational axis being the center of the concentric circles. That is, since the radius ratio of the ridges is constant, a phase shifter group is obtained with which the shift amounts are varied while a constant shift amount ratio is maintained with respect to a given rotational movement angle.
  • a waffle iron structure comprising columnar protrusions with a height of approximately ⁇ /4, and a waveguide comprising a ridge provided along the transmission path of high-frequency energy are used. Accordingly, the plate body 12 , the plate body 13 , even though the plate body 14 , the plate body 15 , the plate body 16 , and the plate body 17 do not come into physical contact, they are maintained in a state of being separated by a constant spacing, and there is no leakage of high-frequency energy to the surroundings. Also, the degree of coupling between adjacent lines or phase shifters is kept low. Thus, production and assembly will be simple, with no worry about poor contact due to aging.
  • a low-loss antenna can be realized in the milliwave band of an onboard radar or the like. Furthermore, with the antenna apparatus 6 in this embodiment, the fact that the plate bodies 12 to 17 are not in physical contact is taken advantage of so that the plate body 15 of the waveguide body 8 in particular is moved rotationally at a specific spacing with respect to the plate body 14 and the plate body 16 . Consequently, it is possible to realize a beam variable antenna that includes a phase shifter with a simple configuration.
  • high-frequency energy is sent once from the plate body 16 to the plate body 14 , passing through the plate bodies 12 to 17 . After this, it passes again through the plate bodies 14 and 15 and is returned to the plate body 16 . It then passes through the plate bodies 16 and 15 again and reaches the plate body 14 . Consequently, numerous phase shifters can be housed within a small area. This allows the overall size of the antenna apparatus 6 to be reduced.
  • FIG. 10 is an oblique view of the plate body 17 of the waveguide body 8 as seen from the rear.
  • the orientation display in the drawing corresponds completely to the orientation display in FIGS. 1 and 2 , and the same holds true for the oblique views of other plate bodies discussed below.
  • the high-frequency energy outputted from the transceiver 9 is inputted through a through-hole 31 into the interior of the waveguide body 8 .
  • the inputted high-frequency energy enters a ridge end 32 a of the plate body 16 in FIG. 11 , and is transmitted along the ridge 32 . It is then split into two branches, after which it enters through-holes 33 going to the front layer.
  • the structure shown in FIG. 6 is used for the path here from the through-hole 31 to the through-holes 33 .
  • the high-frequency energy that has entered the through-hole 33 comes out a through-hole 34 of the plate body 16 in FIG. 12 .
  • the shape of all of the through-holes between the layers discussed below, including the through-holes 33 and 34 is that of a double-ridge rectangular waveguide having ridges on the two long sides of a rectangular waveguide, rather than the rectangular waveguide shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , so that high-frequency energy can be transmitted efficiently to the ridge of the upper and lower layers.
  • the through-holes of the phase shifter input and output components, including the through-hole 34 have a shape in which part of the short side of a rectangular waveguide bulges outward so as to conform to the ridge. A raised portion or cut-out is also provided to part of the ridge for conformity.
  • the high-frequency energy coming out of the through-hole 34 in FIG. 12 goes into the ridge 35 of the plate body 15 in FIG. 13 .
  • the energy is transmitted along the ridge 35 and enters a through-hole 36 going to the front layer.
  • the high-frequency energy that has entered the through-hole 36 goes out to the through-hole 37 in the plate body 15 in FIG. 14 .
  • the high-frequency energy that has gone out to the through-hole 37 is transmitted along the ridge and enters a through-hole 38 that goes through to the front layer of the plate body 14 in FIG. 15 .
  • the structure shown in FIG. 9 is used for the path that links the through-holes 34 , 36 , 37 , and 38 . Consequently, even if the plate body 15 moves rotationally with respect to the plate bodies 13 and 16 , there will be no change in the phase of the high-frequency energy from the through-holes 34 to 38 .
  • the high-frequency energy that has entered the through-hole 38 in FIG. 15 goes out to a through-hole 39 in the plate body 14 in FIG. 16 , after which it is transmitted along the ridge. It is then split into two branches, and enters through-holes 40 and 41 that lead to the rear layer.
  • the high-frequency energy inputted from the transceiver 9 to the through-hole 31 of the plate body 17 passes forward between the plate bodies 17 , 16 , and 15 and reaches the through-hole 39 in the plate body 14 . After this, it passes rearward between the plate bodies 14 and 15 again and returns to the plate body 16 , so the direction of progress of the high-frequency energy is reversed at the plate body 14 .
  • the high-frequency energy that enters the through-hole 40 comes out from a through-hole 42 in the plate body 14 in FIG. 15 .
  • the high-frequency energy that comes out of the through-hole 42 goes into a ridge 44 of the plate body 15 in FIG. 14 , is transmitted along the ridge 44 , and enters a through-hole 45 going to the rear layer.
  • the high-frequency energy that enters the through-hole 45 goes out into a through-hole 46 in the plate body 15 in FIG. 13 .
  • the high-frequency energy that comes out from the through-hole 46 is transmitted along a ridge 47 , and goes from the ridge 47 into a through-hole 48 going to the rear layer of the plate body 16 in FIG. 12 .
  • the structure shown in FIG. 9 is also used for the path that links the through-holes 42 , 45 , 46 , and 48 .
  • the high-frequency energy that has entered the through-hole 41 comes out from the through-hole 43 in the plate body 14 in FIG. 15 .
  • the high-frequency energy that has come out of the through-hole 43 goes into a ridge 49 of the plate body 15 in FIG. 14 , is transmitted along the ridge 49 , and enters a through-hole 50 going to the rear layer.
  • the high-frequency energy that has entered the through-hole 50 goes out to a through-hole 51 in the plate body 15 in FIG. 13 , is transmitted along a ridge 52 , and enters a through-hole 53 going to the rear layer of the plate body 16 in FIG. 12 .
  • the high-frequency energy that has entered the through-holes 48 and 53 shown in FIG. 12 comes out from the through-holes 54 and 55 , respectively, in the plate body 16 in FIG. 11 . After this, it is transmitted along ridges 32 b and 32 c , is split into four branches each, and enters through-holes 56 and 57 going to the front.
  • the high-frequency energy that has been outputted from the transceiver 9 passed forward through the plate bodies 17 , 16 , and 15 to reach the plate body 14 , and then passed rearward back through the plate bodies 15 , 16 , and 17 and returned to the plate body 16 once again passes through the plate bodies 16 , 15 , and 14 and reaches the plate body 14 , so the progress direction at the plate body 16 is reversed.
  • the high-frequency energy that has entered the through-holes 56 and 57 comes out from through-holes 58 and 59 in the plate body 16 in FIG. 12 . After this, the high-frequency energy enters positions 60 a and 61 a on ridges 60 and 61 of the plate body 15 in FIG. 13 , is transmitted over the four ridges 60 and 61 , and enters through-holes 62 and 63 going to the front.
  • the high-frequency energy that has entered the through-holes 62 and 63 goes out to through-holes 64 and 65 in the plate body 15 in FIG. 14 . After this, the high-frequency energy it is transmitted via the four ridges 66 and 67 and enters through-holes 68 and 69 going to the front layer of the plate body 14 in FIG. 15 from positions 66 a and 67 a on the ridges 66 and 67 .
  • the structure shown in FIG. 8 is used for the path that links the through-holes 58 , 62 , 64 , and 68 and the through-holes 59 , 63 , 65 , and 69 .
  • the high-frequency energy that has entered the through-holes 68 and 69 comes out from through-holes 70 and 71 in the plate body 14 in FIG. 16 . After this, it is transmitted over four ridges 72 and 73 , and enters through-holes 74 and 75 in the plate body 13 in FIG. 17 from positions 72 a and 73 a on the ridges 72 and 73 . The high-frequency energy further comes out from through-holes 76 and 77 in the plate body 13 in FIG. 18 .
  • the high-frequency energy that has come out from the through-holes 76 and 77 resonates on four ridges 78 and 79 , which are waveguides used to excite radiation elements.
  • the resonance current on the ridges 78 and 79 also resonates radiation element groups 12 a and 12 b formed on the plate body 12 in FIG. 19 .
  • the resonance magnetic flow of the radiation element groups 12 a and 12 b becomes a radiation source, and high-frequency energy is radiated toward the front space of the antenna apparatus 6 .
  • the flow of high-frequency energy that entered one of the through-holes 33 in FIG. 11 was described, but the high-frequency energy that enters the other through-hole 33 passes through the same path and is radiated toward the front space from radiation element groups 12 c and 12 d in FIG. 19 .
  • the radiation element group 12 and the radiation element group 12 b , and the radiation element group 12 c and the radiation element group 12 d form left and right symmetry in the shape of the phase shifters passed through. Accordingly, when the plate body 15 moves rotationally, the phase signs of the variable phase shifters have mutually opposing polarity.
  • the configuration comprises a combination of a plurality of transmission paths, including those with which the phase of high-frequency energy changes or does not change when the plate body 15 is moved rotationally with respect to the plate bodies 14 and 16 .
  • a plurality of arc-shaped phase shifters are disposed in concentric circles with the same radius ratio. Consequently, when the plate body 15 moves rotationally with respect to the plate bodies 14 and 16 , a phase difference can be generated that is proportional to the radius ratio of the phase shifters. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 19 , a layout can be employed in which the density of radiation element rows 12 aa to 12 ad , 12 ba to 12 bd , 12 ca to 12 cd , and 12 da to 12 dd is raised in the left and right direction.
  • These radiation element rows 12 aa to 12 ad , 12 ba to 12 bd , 12 ca to 12 cd, and 12 da to 12 dd are a group of radiation elements constituted by disposing a plurality of radiation elements in the up and down direction.
  • the means for rotationally moving the plate body 15 is constituted by a disk-shaped plate body 80 , a position detection plate 81 , a clamping plate 82 , a screw 83 , and a motor 84 .
  • the motor 84 must be installed in a hole 85 in the center of the plate body 15 . Accordingly, there is a restriction in that a phase shifter cannot be disposed in the center of the disk-shaped plate body 80 .
  • phase shifter layout in this embodiment will now be described.
  • FIG. 21 is a diagram of the phase shifter layout in the antenna apparatus 6 pertaining to this embodiment (beam variable antenna), and FIG. 22 is a diagram of the phase relationships in the antenna apparatus 6 pertaining to this embodiment.
  • the antenna apparatus 6 of this embodiment has an input terminal 32 x and radiation element groups 12 a to 12 d .
  • the radiation element groups 12 a to 12 d correspond to slotted radiation element rows 12 aa to 12 ad , 12 ba to 12 bd , 12 ca to 12 cd , and 12 da to 12 dd , a plurality of which are arranged in the up and down direction.
  • FIGS. 21 and 22 the points corresponding to the through-holes 33 , 34 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 48 , 53 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 68 , 69 , 70 , and 71 that connect the above-mentioned plate bodies 12 to 17 are indicated with circles.
  • the lines corresponding to the high-frequency waveguides provided to the plate bodies 12 to 17 are indicated by the two solid lines 87 and 88 and the two dotted lines 89 and 90 .
  • the dotted line 89 indicates a high-frequency waveguide comprising a ridge provided to the rear of the plate body 16
  • the dotted line 90 indicates a high-frequency waveguide comprising a ridge provided to the front of the plate body 15
  • the solid line 87 indicates a high-frequency waveguide comprising a ridge provided to the rear of the plate body 15
  • the solid line 88 indicates a high-frequency waveguide comprising a ridge provided to the front of the plate body 15 .
  • arc-shaped solid lines shown on the inside indicate a high-frequency waveguide 87
  • arc-shaped solid lines shown on the outside indicate a high-frequency waveguide 88 .
  • the numbers 91 , 92 , 93 , and 94 in FIG. 22 indicate the phase shifters shown in FIG. 21 .
  • the notations on the phase shifters indicate the amount of change in waveguide length corresponding to the amount of movement of each phase shifter when the plate body 15 moves rotationally by ⁇ /2 in the arrow direction in FIG. 21 .
  • the radiation element rows 12 aa to 12 ad , 12 ba to 12 bd , 12 ca to 12 cd , and 12 da to 12 dd are shown in the same order of arrangement.
  • the phase shifters 93 and 94 in FIG. 22 here are variable phase shifters with which the amount of phase shift changes with the plate body 15 shown in FIG. 18 moves rotationally.
  • the phase shifters 91 and 92 are fixed phase shifters with which the amount of phase shift does not change even though the plate body 15 shown in FIG. 9 moves rotationally.
  • FIG. 21 the connection shapes of the high-frequency waveguides 87 and 88 of these two kinds of phase shifter are depicted so as to correspond to the shapes of the high-frequency energy paths A-A and B-B in FIGS. 8 and 9 .
  • the radius from the rotational movement center of the plate body 15 of the high-frequency waveguide of the phase shifter 93 is 4 ⁇ r as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 .
  • the radius from the rotational movement center of the plate body 15 of the high-frequency waveguide of the phase shifters 94 is 4.5 ⁇ r, 5.5 ⁇ r, 6.5 ⁇ r, and 7.5 ⁇ r, respectively, in that order from the inside.
  • the amounts of change in the waveguide length of the phase shifters of radiation element rows 12 aa to 12 dd from the input terminal 32 x in FIG. 22 are summed up while taking into account the signs contributed by combination of the direction of rotational movement of ⁇ and the layout of the phase shifters 91 to 94 when the plate body 15 has moved rotationally by ⁇ /2
  • the difference in the amounts of change in waveguide length between the mutually adjacent radiation element rows 12 aa and 12 ab , the radiation element rows 12 ab and 12 ac , . . . the radiation element rows 12 db and 12 dc , and the radiation element rows 12 dc and 12 dd is ⁇ r ⁇ in every case, as follows.
  • Radiation element row 12 ba: ⁇ 0+4 ⁇ r ⁇ 7.5 ⁇ r ⁇ ⁇ 3.5 ⁇ r ⁇
  • the plurality of waveguides formed in the waveguide body 8 form a variable phase shifter with which the phase of transmitted radio waves varies, and a fixed phase shifter that imparts a fixed phase amount according to the fixed transmission path length, regardless of the movement of the plate body 15 , when the plate body 15 (a movable waveguide body) rotates (or moves rotationally) and moves relatively with respect to the plate body 14 , the plate body 16 , and the plate body 13 .
  • the plurality of waveguides of the waveguide body 8 form a first waveguide ( 95 in FIG. 27 ), a second waveguide ( 96 in FIG. 27 ), and a third waveguide ( 97 in FIG. 27 ).
  • the first waveguide is constituted by a plurality of waveguides corresponding to first radiation element groups 12 a and 12 b .
  • the second waveguide is constituted by a plurality of waveguides corresponding to second radiation element groups 12 c and 12 d .
  • the third waveguide matches the waveguide length difference between radiation element row 12 bd of the first radiation element group and the radiation element row 12 ca of the second radiation element group to ⁇ r* ⁇ (that is, the sum of ⁇ r and ⁇ ), which is the waveguide length difference between other adjacent radiation element rows.
  • phase difference between mutually adjacent radiation element rows among all of the radiation element rows 12 aa to 12 ad , 12 ba to 12 bd , 12 ca to 12 cd , and 12 da to 12 dd can be made uniform in all cases, so scattering of radio waves in unnecessary directions can be reduced.
  • the motor 84 must be installed in the center of the plate body 15 constituting a phase shifter. Accordingly, when there is a limitation in that a phase shifter cannot be disposed in the center, a variable phase shifter that varies the phase when the plate body 15 is moved rotationally is combined with a fixed phase shifter that does not vary the phase. Consequently, a phase difference that is the same as that between other adjacent radiation element rows can be imparted between the adjacent radiation element rows 12 bd and 12 ca among the radiation element rows 12 ba to 12 cd included in the radiation element groups 12 b and 12 c in FIG. 19 . Thus, it is possible to raise the gain of the antenna apparatus 6 .
  • An antenna apparatus was described above in which the scattering of radio waves in unnecessary directions in the left and right direction in FIG. 1 was reduced.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, however.
  • the antenna apparatus may be such that the scattering of radio waves in unnecessary directions in the up and down direction in FIG. 1 is reduced.
  • FIG. 23 is an oblique view of a high-frequency waveguide in which the height of a ridge 95 is varied periodically.
  • FIG. 24 is a wavelength graph for a high-frequency waveguide in which the height of the ridge is varied periodically.
  • FIG. 25 is an oblique view of a radiator that makes use of a high-frequency waveguide in which the height of the ridge is varied periodically.
  • FIG. 26 is a directionality graph when the distance between the radiation elements is changed.
  • the high-frequency waveguide shown in FIG. 23 has the same structure and shape as the high-frequency waveguide shown in FIG. 5 , except for the ridge 95 , whose height varies in the lengthwise direction.
  • the upper conductor is not shown for the sake of simplifying the description, but the high-frequency waveguide is constituted by two conductors, namely, the upper conductor 23 and the lower conductor 22 , just as in FIG. 5 .
  • the high-frequency waveguide shown in FIG. 23 is provided with notches (recesses) 96 in the ridge 95 at a period of less than ⁇ R /4, where ⁇ R is the wavelength on the high-frequency waveguide shown in FIG. 5 at the operating frequency. This allows the height of the ridge 95 in its lengthwise direction to be varied periodically.
  • FIG. 24 is a graph of the relation between the depth of the notches 96 and the wavelength on the high-frequency waveguide.
  • ⁇ 0 be the free space wavelength of the operating frequency
  • the ratio ⁇ g / ⁇ 0 of the wavelength ⁇ g on the high-frequency waveguide to the free space wavelength ⁇ 0 can be varied over a range of approximately 1.15 to 0.85.
  • the principle behind the ability to vary the wavelength on the high-frequency waveguide is that since the notches 96 act as a distal end short-circuit line in which the bottom faces of the notches serve as the short-circuit distal ends and the two opposing side faces on the inside of the notches serve as the transmission path for high-frequency energy propagated over the high-frequency waveguide, an equivalent impedance of the distal end short-circuit line corresponding to the depth of the notches 96 is inserted in series to the high-frequency waveguide as a distributed constant component.
  • FIG. 25 shows a radiator that makes use of a high-frequency waveguide in which the height is varied at a period of less than ⁇ R /4 in the lengthwise direction of the ridge 95 . This corresponds to removing one high-frequency waveguide on the plate body 13 in FIG. 18 and one radiation element row on the plate body 12 in FIG. 19 .
  • the high-frequency waveguide constituted by the ridge 95 is open at both ends.
  • the length thereof is an integer multiple of the wavelength ⁇ g on the high-frequency waveguide.
  • the high-frequency waveguide is in a resonant state, and resonance current flows over the ridge 95 .
  • Radiation element rows 112 aa to 112 aj are disposed at opposing positions (on the plate body 12 ) at places where the resonance current on the ridge 95 is at its maximum and where the resonance current has the same orientation.
  • high-frequency energy of the same phase and amplitude is radiated into space from all of the radiation element rows 112 aa to 112 aj .
  • the radiator in FIG. 25 operates as an array antenna having its main beam in the forward direction.
  • FIG. 25 shows a case in which 10 ⁇ g is the length of the high-frequency waveguide and there are ten radiation element rows, but an array antenna having its main beam in the forward direction can be similarly obtained as long as K is equal to or greater than the number of radiation elements, wherein K ⁇ g is the length of the high-frequency waveguide.
  • the spacing 97 between the mutually adjacent radiation element rows 112 aa to 112 aj is matched to the wavelength on the high-frequency waveguide.
  • FIG. 26 shows the directionality characteristics in the ZX plane of the radiator in FIG. 25.
  • 98 is the directionality characteristics when the distance 97 between radiation elements is 1.15 ⁇ 0
  • 99 is the directionality characteristics when the distance 97 between radiation elements is 0.85 ⁇ 0 .
  • the main beam is in the forward direction, that is, in a direction with an angle of 0°.
  • the distance between the radiation element rows 112 aa to 112 aj is greater than the free space wavelength ⁇ 0
  • the direction in which the high-frequency energy radiated into space from the radiation element rows 112 aa to 112 aj is within an angle of ⁇ 90°, generating a so-called grating lobe that scatters radio waves in unnecessary directions.
  • the directionality characteristics in FIG. 26 generate a corresponding grating lobe having gain on the same level as the main beam in a direction with an angle of ⁇ 60°.
  • ⁇ R be the wavelength on the high-frequency waveguide when no notches 96 are provided at the operating frequency
  • the wavelength on the high-frequency waveguide is varied by varying the height at a period of less than ⁇ R /4 in the lengthwise direction of the ridge 95 .
  • a radiator with suppressed generation of a grating lobe at the same level as the main beam, which would degrade recognition accuracy, can be realized for an onboard radar by using a high-frequency waveguide in which the wavelength is further varied for the feeder line of the radiator.
  • the amount of change in the phase of high-frequency energy passing through a high-frequency waveguide with a unit length can be varied by varying the wavelength on the high-frequency waveguide. Consequently, an effect is that using this as a phase adjustment line affords greater latitude in the layout of the antenna feeder line. It should go without saying that this effect is the scope encompassed by the present invention.
  • a radar for monitoring automobiles ahead was used as an example of an electronic device featuring the high-frequency waveguide pertaining to the present invention.
  • this radar may be used in heavy machinery and the like used at construction sites and so forth.
  • an electronic device featuring the high-frequency waveguide of the present invention in the heavy machinery itself as a radar for monitoring the surroundings. If this is done, then when a person is near the machinery, for example, the machinery operator will be alerted to exercise caution, and can halt the operation of the machinery. This makes it possible to improve the safety of heavy machinery that makes less noise.
  • the dimension in the height direction of the ridge 95 was used as an example of varying the ridge 95 in its lengthwise direction to form a high-frequency waveguide, but the present invention is not limited to this.
  • a high-frequency waveguide may be formed by using a ridge 195 having two different heights Z 1 and Z 2 .
  • a high-frequency waveguide may be formed by using a lower conductor (plate body 213 ) that includes a ridge 295 whose width varies in the lengthwise direction, and in which the spacing between adjacent columnar protrusions (protrusions for preventing the leakage of electromagnetic waves) is less than ⁇ 0 /2.
  • the present invention allows a reduction in size and a simplification of the configuration of an antenna, without moving the antenna itself, and is therefore expected to be very useful in its application to automobiles and so forth where there is a need for smaller size and lighter weight for the purpose of conserving energy.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
  • Waveguide Aerials (AREA)
  • Waveguides (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
US13/122,270 2008-10-29 2009-10-01 High-frequency waveguide and phase shifter using same, radiator, electronic device which uses this phase shifter and radiator, antenna device, and electronic device equipped with same Expired - Fee Related US8779995B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2008-277969 2008-10-29
JP2008277969 2008-10-29
JP2008-277970 2008-10-29
JP2008277970 2008-10-29
JP2009097845 2009-04-14
JP2009-097845 2009-04-14
PCT/JP2009/005087 WO2010050122A1 (ja) 2008-10-29 2009-10-01 高周波導波路およびそれを用いた移相器、放射器、この移相器および放射器を用いた電子機器、アンテナ装置およびこれを備えた電子機器

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110187614A1 US20110187614A1 (en) 2011-08-04
US8779995B2 true US8779995B2 (en) 2014-07-15

Family

ID=42128495

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/122,270 Expired - Fee Related US8779995B2 (en) 2008-10-29 2009-10-01 High-frequency waveguide and phase shifter using same, radiator, electronic device which uses this phase shifter and radiator, antenna device, and electronic device equipped with same

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US8779995B2 (zh)
EP (1) EP2343774A4 (zh)
JP (1) JP5514731B2 (zh)
CN (1) CN102160236B (zh)
WO (1) WO2010050122A1 (zh)

Cited By (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120169525A1 (en) * 2008-12-15 2012-07-05 Michael Klar Fmcw radar sensor for motor vehicles
WO2016058627A1 (en) * 2014-10-13 2016-04-21 Gapwaves Ab A microwave or millimeter wave rf part assembled with pick-and-place technology
US10153533B2 (en) 2014-05-07 2018-12-11 Hideki Kirino Waveguide
US20190103663A1 (en) * 2016-05-20 2019-04-04 Nidec Corporation Radiating element, antenna array, and radar
DE102018124924A1 (de) 2017-10-10 2019-04-11 Nidec Corporation Wellenleitende Vorrichtung
US10422895B2 (en) * 2013-12-13 2019-09-24 The Trustees of Princeton University, Office of Technology and Trademark Licensing Passive waveguide structures and integrated detection and/or imaging systems incorporating the same
DE112018001406T5 (de) 2017-04-14 2019-12-05 Nidec Corporation Schlitzantennenvorrichtung
DE112018001317T5 (de) 2017-04-12 2019-12-05 Nidec Corporation Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Hochfrequenzbauglieds
DE112018001974T5 (de) 2017-05-11 2020-01-09 Nidec Corporation Wellenleitervorrichtung und antennenvorrichtung mit derwellenleitervorrichtung
DE112018002020T5 (de) 2017-05-11 2020-01-09 Nidec Corporation Wellenleitervorrichtung und antennenvorrichtung mit der wellenleitervorrichtung
US10547122B2 (en) 2017-06-26 2020-01-28 Nidec Corporation Method of producing a horn antenna array and antenna array
US10594045B2 (en) 2016-04-05 2020-03-17 Nidec Corporation Waveguide device and antenna array
US10601144B2 (en) 2017-04-13 2020-03-24 Nidec Corporation Slot antenna device
US10622696B2 (en) 2017-09-07 2020-04-14 Nidec Corporation Directional coupler
US10651138B2 (en) 2016-03-29 2020-05-12 Nidec Corporation Microwave IC waveguide device module
US10658760B2 (en) 2017-06-26 2020-05-19 Nidec Corporation Horn antenna array
DE102019134670A1 (de) 2018-12-18 2020-06-18 Nidec Corporation Wellenleitervorrichtung, antennenvorrichtung und kommunikationsvorrichtung
US10707584B2 (en) 2017-08-18 2020-07-07 Nidec Corporation Antenna array
US10714802B2 (en) 2017-06-26 2020-07-14 WGR Co., Ltd. Transmission line device
US10727561B2 (en) 2016-04-28 2020-07-28 Nidec Corporation Mounting substrate, waveguide module, integrated circuit-mounted substrate, microwave module
DE102020102791A1 (de) 2019-02-05 2020-08-06 Nidec Corporation Schlitz-Array-Antenne
US10763591B2 (en) * 2015-11-05 2020-09-01 Nidec Corporation Slot array antenna
US10957971B2 (en) 2019-07-23 2021-03-23 Veoneer Us, Inc. Feed to waveguide transition structures and related sensor assemblies
US11088464B2 (en) 2018-06-14 2021-08-10 Nidec Corporation Slot array antenna
US11114733B2 (en) 2019-07-23 2021-09-07 Veoneer Us, Inc. Waveguide interconnect transitions and related sensor assemblies
US11171399B2 (en) 2019-07-23 2021-11-09 Veoneer Us, Inc. Meandering waveguide ridges and related sensor assemblies
US11196171B2 (en) 2019-07-23 2021-12-07 Veoneer Us, Inc. Combined waveguide and antenna structures and related sensor assemblies
US11201414B2 (en) * 2018-12-18 2021-12-14 Veoneer Us, Inc. Waveguide sensor assemblies and related methods
US11275145B2 (en) * 2015-10-07 2022-03-15 Denso Corporation Antenna device and target detecting device
US11283162B2 (en) 2019-07-23 2022-03-22 Veoneer Us, Inc. Transitional waveguide structures and related sensor assemblies
US11349220B2 (en) 2020-02-12 2022-05-31 Veoneer Us, Inc. Oscillating waveguides and related sensor assemblies
US11378683B2 (en) * 2020-02-12 2022-07-05 Veoneer Us, Inc. Vehicle radar sensor assemblies
US11411292B2 (en) 2019-01-16 2022-08-09 WGR Co., Ltd. Waveguide device, electromagnetic radiation confinement device, antenna device, microwave chemical reaction device, and radar device
US11563259B2 (en) 2020-02-12 2023-01-24 Veoneer Us, Llc Waveguide signal confinement structures and related sensor assemblies
US11668788B2 (en) 2021-07-08 2023-06-06 Veoneer Us, Llc Phase-compensated waveguides and related sensor assemblies
US11914067B2 (en) 2021-04-29 2024-02-27 Veoneer Us, Llc Platformed post arrays for waveguides and related sensor assemblies
US12015201B2 (en) 2021-11-05 2024-06-18 Magna Electronics, Llc Waveguides and waveguide sensors with signal-improving grooves and/or slots
US12130357B2 (en) 2021-12-17 2024-10-29 Magna Electronics, Llc Antenna slot array configurations and related vehicle sensor signal patterns

Families Citing this family (44)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8780518B2 (en) 2011-02-04 2014-07-15 Denso Corporation Electronic control device including interrupt wire
US9450659B2 (en) * 2011-11-04 2016-09-20 Alcatel Lucent Method and apparatus to generate virtual sector wide static beams using phase shift transmit diversity
CN103825089B (zh) * 2014-02-28 2016-06-22 电子科技大学 近场聚焦平面阵列天线
US9472853B1 (en) * 2014-03-28 2016-10-18 Google Inc. Dual open-ended waveguide antenna for automotive radar
WO2015172948A2 (en) * 2014-05-14 2015-11-19 Gapwaves Ab Waveguides and transmission lines in gaps between parallel conducting surfaces
US10498000B2 (en) 2015-01-19 2019-12-03 Gapwaves Ab Microwave or millimeter wave RF part realized by die-forming
US9876282B1 (en) * 2015-04-02 2018-01-23 Waymo Llc Integrated lens for power and phase setting of DOEWG antenna arrays
EP3147994B1 (en) 2015-09-24 2019-04-03 Gapwaves AB Waveguides and transmission lines in gaps between parallel conducting surfaces
DE102016119473B4 (de) 2015-10-15 2022-10-20 Nidec Elesys Corporation Wellenleitervorrichtung und Antennenvorrichtung mit der Wellenleitervorrichtung
JP6256776B2 (ja) * 2015-10-15 2018-01-10 日本電産株式会社 導波路装置および当該導波路装置を備えるアンテナ装置
CN207542369U (zh) * 2015-11-05 2018-06-26 日本电产株式会社 雷达系统以及无线通信系统
WO2017086524A1 (ko) * 2015-11-17 2017-05-26 한국과학기술원 광 위상 배열 안테나에 적용을 위한 격자 구조를 이용한 나노포토닉 발산기
KR101872077B1 (ko) 2015-11-17 2018-06-28 한국과학기술원 광 위상 배열 안테나에 적용을 위한 격자 구조를 이용한 나노포토닉 발산기
KR101709076B1 (ko) 2015-11-24 2017-02-22 현대자동차주식회사 안테나 장치 및 이를 포함하는 차량
US10276944B1 (en) * 2015-12-22 2019-04-30 Waymo Llc 3D folded compact beam forming network using short wall couplers for automotive radars
US9979094B1 (en) * 2015-12-22 2018-05-22 Waymo Llc Fed duel open ended waveguide (DOEWG) antenna arrays for automotive radars
JP2017188867A (ja) 2015-12-24 2017-10-12 日本電産エレシス株式会社 導波路装置、スロットアンテナ、ならびに当該スロットアンテナを備えるレーダ、レーダシステム、および無線通信システム
DE102016125412B4 (de) 2015-12-24 2023-08-17 Nidec Elesys Corporation Schlitz-Array-Antenne und Radar, Radarsystem sowie Drahtlos-Kommunikationssystem mit der Schlitz-Array-Antenne
DE102017100654A1 (de) * 2016-01-15 2017-07-20 Nidec Elesys Corporation Wellenleitervorrichtung, Schlitz-Array-Antenne und Radar, Radarsystem sowie Drahtlos-Kommunikationssystem mit der Schlitz-Array-Antenne
JP6549331B2 (ja) 2016-01-29 2019-07-24 日本電産株式会社 導波路装置および当該導波路装置を備えるアンテナ装置
DE102017102284A1 (de) * 2016-02-08 2017-08-10 Nidec Elesys Corporation Wellenleitervorrichtung und Antennenvorrichtung mit der Wellenleitervorrichtung
DE102017102559A1 (de) 2016-02-12 2017-08-17 Nidec Elesys Corporation Wellenleitervorrichtung und Antennenvorrichtung mit der Wellenleitervorrichtung
US10811784B2 (en) * 2016-03-01 2020-10-20 Kymeta Corporation Broadband RF radial waveguide feed with integrated glass transition
CN109792102B (zh) * 2016-10-05 2022-03-18 深谷波股份公司 包括形成无接触接口的至少一个过渡的封装结构
CN106526572A (zh) * 2016-11-07 2017-03-22 深圳市速腾聚创科技有限公司 一维相控阵雷达及一维相控阵雷达控制方法
CN106785433A (zh) * 2017-01-13 2017-05-31 中国科学院国家空间科学中心 一种基于脊隙波导技术的无隙扫描漏波天线
JP2018164252A (ja) 2017-03-24 2018-10-18 日本電産株式会社 スロットアレーアンテナ、および当該スロットアレーアンテナを備えるレーダ
JP2018182740A (ja) 2017-04-13 2018-11-15 日本電産株式会社 スロットアレーアンテナ
JP2018182742A (ja) * 2017-04-14 2018-11-15 日本電産株式会社 スロットアンテナアレイ
JP2018182743A (ja) * 2017-04-18 2018-11-15 日本電産株式会社 スロットアレイアンテナ
FR3071363B1 (fr) * 2017-09-19 2019-09-06 Thales Joint tournant pour une antenne rotative et antenne rotative comportant un tel joint
US11199611B2 (en) * 2018-02-20 2021-12-14 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicle radar system with T-shaped slot antennas
GB2572763B (en) 2018-04-09 2022-03-16 Univ Heriot Watt Waveguide and antenna
US10594032B2 (en) 2018-06-07 2020-03-17 King Abdulaziz University Beam scanning antenna and method of beam scanning
EP3588673B1 (en) * 2018-06-29 2024-04-03 Advanced Automotive Antennas, S.L. Under-roof antenna modules for vehicles
FR3086104B1 (fr) * 2018-09-13 2021-12-10 Thales Sa Ensemble de guidage d'ondes radioelectriques et antenne comprenant un tel ensemble
CN110961595B (zh) * 2018-09-28 2021-12-28 日本电产株式会社 高频部件的制造方法以及波导装置
JP7375408B2 (ja) * 2018-09-28 2023-11-08 ニデック株式会社 高周波部材の製造方法および高周波部材
FR3089696B1 (fr) * 2018-12-11 2020-11-13 Thales Sa Dispositif de déphasage mécanique large bande en onde guidée
FR3090216B1 (fr) * 2018-12-18 2020-12-18 Thales Sa Joint tournant radiofrequence rf pour dispositif rotatif de guidage d’ondes rf et dispositif rotatif rf incluant un tel joint
EP3918664B1 (en) * 2019-03-14 2023-10-11 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Redirecting structure for electromagnetic waves
ES2729211B2 (es) * 2019-05-09 2020-03-04 Univ Valencia Politecnica Desfasador mecanico
TWI704535B (zh) * 2019-11-11 2020-09-11 財團法人工業技術研究院 天線陣列及包含此天線陣列的汽車防撞雷達
CN110931929B (zh) * 2020-01-15 2024-07-26 盛纬伦(深圳)通信技术有限公司 一种毫米波脊波导传输线

Citations (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2711517A (en) 1945-09-14 1955-06-21 Krutter Harry Corrugated wave guide
GB785856A (en) 1956-01-04 1957-11-06 Sperry Rand Corp Wave-guide lens
US3108237A (en) 1961-09-29 1963-10-22 Hughes Aircraft Co Variable microwave phase shifter having moveable reactive stubs
US3118118A (en) 1960-05-27 1964-01-14 Scanwell Lab Inc Variable waveguide
US4533887A (en) 1982-03-18 1985-08-06 Ant Nachrichtentechnik Gmbh Rotary waveguide coupling having arcuate shaped deflecting elements with 2-D blocking structures
JPS6378601A (ja) 1986-09-22 1988-04-08 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd コルゲ−ト形フイルタ
JPH02156707A (ja) 1988-12-08 1990-06-15 Yagi Antenna Co Ltd 平面アンテナ
JPH0465902A (ja) 1990-07-02 1992-03-02 Toshiba Corp リッジ導波管―マイクロストリップ線路変換器
CN1128906A (zh) 1994-08-30 1996-08-14 株式会社村田制作所 非辐射性电介质波导部件
US5874922A (en) 1996-07-02 1999-02-23 Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd Antenna
US5990768A (en) * 1996-11-28 1999-11-23 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Millimeter waveguide and a circuit apparatus using the same
JPH11351909A (ja) 1998-06-05 1999-12-24 Fujitsu Ten Ltd 回動部材用回動位置検出装置
CA2276879A1 (en) 1998-07-03 2000-01-03 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Antenna device, and transmitting/receiving unit
JP2001274608A (ja) 2000-03-28 2001-10-05 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd ミリ波回路及びその製造方法と送受信装置及びレーダ装置
JP2002185221A (ja) 2000-12-14 2002-06-28 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Ｎｒｄガイド回路
US20020101386A1 (en) 2001-01-29 2002-08-01 Kyocera Corporation Primary radiator, phase shifter, and beam scanning antenna
JP2003202369A (ja) 2002-01-08 2003-07-18 Honda Motor Co Ltd 移動体用レーダー装置
EP1331688A1 (en) 2002-01-29 2003-07-30 Era Patents Limited Waveguide
JP2003304106A (ja) 2002-04-08 2003-10-24 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 導波路構造体
JP2004048486A (ja) 2002-07-12 2004-02-12 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 導波管
US20040041663A1 (en) * 2000-11-29 2004-03-04 Hiroshi Uchimura Dielectric waveguide type filter and branching filter
US20040104793A1 (en) 2002-11-29 2004-06-03 Shinichi Tamura Waveguide, high-frequency circuit, and high-frequency circuit device
US20050219137A1 (en) * 2003-12-23 2005-10-06 Heisen Peter T Antenna apparatus and method
US20060267852A1 (en) * 2005-05-31 2006-11-30 Jiho Ahn Antenna-feeder device and antenna
WO2008081807A1 (ja) 2006-12-28 2008-07-10 Panasonic Corporation 移相器およびアンテナ

Patent Citations (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2711517A (en) 1945-09-14 1955-06-21 Krutter Harry Corrugated wave guide
GB785856A (en) 1956-01-04 1957-11-06 Sperry Rand Corp Wave-guide lens
US3118118A (en) 1960-05-27 1964-01-14 Scanwell Lab Inc Variable waveguide
US3108237A (en) 1961-09-29 1963-10-22 Hughes Aircraft Co Variable microwave phase shifter having moveable reactive stubs
US4533887A (en) 1982-03-18 1985-08-06 Ant Nachrichtentechnik Gmbh Rotary waveguide coupling having arcuate shaped deflecting elements with 2-D blocking structures
JPS6378601A (ja) 1986-09-22 1988-04-08 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd コルゲ−ト形フイルタ
JPH02156707A (ja) 1988-12-08 1990-06-15 Yagi Antenna Co Ltd 平面アンテナ
JPH0465902A (ja) 1990-07-02 1992-03-02 Toshiba Corp リッジ導波管―マイクロストリップ線路変換器
CN1128906A (zh) 1994-08-30 1996-08-14 株式会社村田制作所 非辐射性电介质波导部件
US6218916B1 (en) 1994-08-30 2001-04-17 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Electromagnetically coupling nonradiative dielectric waveguides
US6362696B1 (en) 1994-08-30 2002-03-26 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Device with a nonradiative dielectric waveguide with coupling gap
US5874922A (en) 1996-07-02 1999-02-23 Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd Antenna
US5990768A (en) * 1996-11-28 1999-11-23 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Millimeter waveguide and a circuit apparatus using the same
JPH11351909A (ja) 1998-06-05 1999-12-24 Fujitsu Ten Ltd 回動部材用回動位置検出装置
EP0969548B1 (en) 1998-07-03 2003-11-26 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Antenna device, and transmitting/receiving unit
CA2276879A1 (en) 1998-07-03 2000-01-03 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Antenna device, and transmitting/receiving unit
JP2000022423A (ja) 1998-07-03 2000-01-21 Murata Mfg Co Ltd アンテナ装置および送受信装置
CA2276879C (en) 1998-07-03 2001-06-05 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Antenna device, and transmitting/receiving unit
EP0969548A2 (en) 1998-07-03 2000-01-05 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Antenna device, and transmitting/receiving unit
US6133887A (en) 1998-07-03 2000-10-17 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Antenna device, and transmitting/receiving unit
JP2001274608A (ja) 2000-03-28 2001-10-05 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd ミリ波回路及びその製造方法と送受信装置及びレーダ装置
US20040041663A1 (en) * 2000-11-29 2004-03-04 Hiroshi Uchimura Dielectric waveguide type filter and branching filter
JP2002185221A (ja) 2000-12-14 2002-06-28 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Ｎｒｄガイド回路
US20020101386A1 (en) 2001-01-29 2002-08-01 Kyocera Corporation Primary radiator, phase shifter, and beam scanning antenna
JP2002223113A (ja) 2001-01-29 2002-08-09 Kyocera Corp 一次放射器および移相器ならびにビーム走査アンテナ
US6597322B2 (en) 2001-01-29 2003-07-22 Kyocera Corporation Primary radiator, phase shifter, and beam scanning antenna
JP2003202369A (ja) 2002-01-08 2003-07-18 Honda Motor Co Ltd 移動体用レーダー装置
EP1331688A1 (en) 2002-01-29 2003-07-30 Era Patents Limited Waveguide
US20050128028A1 (en) 2002-01-29 2005-06-16 Sanchez Francisco J.V. Waveguide
US7142165B2 (en) 2002-01-29 2006-11-28 Era Patents Limited Waveguide and slotted antenna array with moveable rows of spaced posts
JP2003304106A (ja) 2002-04-08 2003-10-24 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 導波路構造体
JP2004048486A (ja) 2002-07-12 2004-02-12 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 導波管
US20040104793A1 (en) 2002-11-29 2004-06-03 Shinichi Tamura Waveguide, high-frequency circuit, and high-frequency circuit device
CN1505203A (zh) 2002-11-29 2004-06-16 ������������ʽ���� 波导管、高频电路和高频电路装置
US6995637B2 (en) 2002-11-29 2006-02-07 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Waveguide, high-frequency circuit, and high-frequency circuit device
US20050219137A1 (en) * 2003-12-23 2005-10-06 Heisen Peter T Antenna apparatus and method
US20060267852A1 (en) * 2005-05-31 2006-11-30 Jiho Ahn Antenna-feeder device and antenna
WO2008081807A1 (ja) 2006-12-28 2008-07-10 Panasonic Corporation 移相器およびアンテナ

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Chinese Office Action issued Apr. 1, 2013 in corresponding Chinese Application No. 200980136408.9.
International Search Report issued Jan. 19, 2010 in International (PCT) Application No. PCT/JP2009/005087.
Supplementary European Search Report issued Oct. 24, 2013 in corresponding European Application No. 09823237.4.

Cited By (45)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120169525A1 (en) * 2008-12-15 2012-07-05 Michael Klar Fmcw radar sensor for motor vehicles
US8922422B2 (en) * 2008-12-15 2014-12-30 Robert Bosch Gmbh FMCW radar sensor for motor vehicles
US10422895B2 (en) * 2013-12-13 2019-09-24 The Trustees of Princeton University, Office of Technology and Trademark Licensing Passive waveguide structures and integrated detection and/or imaging systems incorporating the same
US10153533B2 (en) 2014-05-07 2018-12-11 Hideki Kirino Waveguide
WO2016058627A1 (en) * 2014-10-13 2016-04-21 Gapwaves Ab A microwave or millimeter wave rf part assembled with pick-and-place technology
US11275145B2 (en) * 2015-10-07 2022-03-15 Denso Corporation Antenna device and target detecting device
US10763591B2 (en) * 2015-11-05 2020-09-01 Nidec Corporation Slot array antenna
US10651138B2 (en) 2016-03-29 2020-05-12 Nidec Corporation Microwave IC waveguide device module
US10594045B2 (en) 2016-04-05 2020-03-17 Nidec Corporation Waveguide device and antenna array
US10727561B2 (en) 2016-04-28 2020-07-28 Nidec Corporation Mounting substrate, waveguide module, integrated circuit-mounted substrate, microwave module
US20190103663A1 (en) * 2016-05-20 2019-04-04 Nidec Corporation Radiating element, antenna array, and radar
DE112018001317T5 (de) 2017-04-12 2019-12-05 Nidec Corporation Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Hochfrequenzbauglieds
US11611138B2 (en) 2017-04-12 2023-03-21 Nidec Corporation Method of producing a radio frequency member
US10601144B2 (en) 2017-04-13 2020-03-24 Nidec Corporation Slot antenna device
DE112018001406T5 (de) 2017-04-14 2019-12-05 Nidec Corporation Schlitzantennenvorrichtung
US10992056B2 (en) 2017-04-14 2021-04-27 Nidec Corporation Slot antenna device
DE112018002020T5 (de) 2017-05-11 2020-01-09 Nidec Corporation Wellenleitervorrichtung und antennenvorrichtung mit der wellenleitervorrichtung
DE112018001974T5 (de) 2017-05-11 2020-01-09 Nidec Corporation Wellenleitervorrichtung und antennenvorrichtung mit derwellenleitervorrichtung
US11061110B2 (en) 2017-05-11 2021-07-13 Nidec Corporation Waveguide device, and antenna device including the waveguide device
US10547122B2 (en) 2017-06-26 2020-01-28 Nidec Corporation Method of producing a horn antenna array and antenna array
US10658760B2 (en) 2017-06-26 2020-05-19 Nidec Corporation Horn antenna array
US10714802B2 (en) 2017-06-26 2020-07-14 WGR Co., Ltd. Transmission line device
US10707584B2 (en) 2017-08-18 2020-07-07 Nidec Corporation Antenna array
US10622696B2 (en) 2017-09-07 2020-04-14 Nidec Corporation Directional coupler
DE102018124924A1 (de) 2017-10-10 2019-04-11 Nidec Corporation Wellenleitende Vorrichtung
US11088464B2 (en) 2018-06-14 2021-08-10 Nidec Corporation Slot array antenna
US11201414B2 (en) * 2018-12-18 2021-12-14 Veoneer Us, Inc. Waveguide sensor assemblies and related methods
DE102019134670A1 (de) 2018-12-18 2020-06-18 Nidec Corporation Wellenleitervorrichtung, antennenvorrichtung und kommunikationsvorrichtung
US11411292B2 (en) 2019-01-16 2022-08-09 WGR Co., Ltd. Waveguide device, electromagnetic radiation confinement device, antenna device, microwave chemical reaction device, and radar device
DE102020102791A1 (de) 2019-02-05 2020-08-06 Nidec Corporation Schlitz-Array-Antenne
US11171399B2 (en) 2019-07-23 2021-11-09 Veoneer Us, Inc. Meandering waveguide ridges and related sensor assemblies
US10957971B2 (en) 2019-07-23 2021-03-23 Veoneer Us, Inc. Feed to waveguide transition structures and related sensor assemblies
US11283162B2 (en) 2019-07-23 2022-03-22 Veoneer Us, Inc. Transitional waveguide structures and related sensor assemblies
US11114733B2 (en) 2019-07-23 2021-09-07 Veoneer Us, Inc. Waveguide interconnect transitions and related sensor assemblies
US11196171B2 (en) 2019-07-23 2021-12-07 Veoneer Us, Inc. Combined waveguide and antenna structures and related sensor assemblies
US20220317289A1 (en) * 2020-02-12 2022-10-06 Veoneer Us, Llc Vehicle radar sensor assemblies
US11378683B2 (en) * 2020-02-12 2022-07-05 Veoneer Us, Inc. Vehicle radar sensor assemblies
US11563259B2 (en) 2020-02-12 2023-01-24 Veoneer Us, Llc Waveguide signal confinement structures and related sensor assemblies
US11349220B2 (en) 2020-02-12 2022-05-31 Veoneer Us, Inc. Oscillating waveguides and related sensor assemblies
US11762087B2 (en) * 2020-02-12 2023-09-19 Veoneer Us, Llc Vehicle radar sensor assemblies
US12126081B2 (en) 2020-02-12 2024-10-22 Magna Electronics, Llc Oscillating waveguides and related sensor assemblies
US11914067B2 (en) 2021-04-29 2024-02-27 Veoneer Us, Llc Platformed post arrays for waveguides and related sensor assemblies
US11668788B2 (en) 2021-07-08 2023-06-06 Veoneer Us, Llc Phase-compensated waveguides and related sensor assemblies
US12015201B2 (en) 2021-11-05 2024-06-18 Magna Electronics, Llc Waveguides and waveguide sensors with signal-improving grooves and/or slots
US12130357B2 (en) 2021-12-17 2024-10-29 Magna Electronics, Llc Antenna slot array configurations and related vehicle sensor signal patterns

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP5514731B2 (ja) 2014-06-04
CN102160236A (zh) 2011-08-17
EP2343774A4 (en) 2013-11-27
JPWO2010050122A1 (ja) 2012-03-29
CN102160236B (zh) 2014-08-06
EP2343774A1 (en) 2011-07-13
WO2010050122A1 (ja) 2010-05-06
US20110187614A1 (en) 2011-08-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8779995B2 (en) High-frequency waveguide and phase shifter using same, radiator, electronic device which uses this phase shifter and radiator, antenna device, and electronic device equipped with same
KR100533849B1 (ko) 섹터 안테나 장치 및 차재용 송수신 장치
JP6778283B2 (ja) 偏波回転層を含むアンテナおよびレーダシステム
KR102199352B1 (ko) 자율 주행을 위한 적응적 편광 레이더 아키텍처
JP3308734B2 (ja) レーダーモジュール
US6424298B1 (en) Microstrip array antenna
JP3163981B2 (ja) 送受信装置
US6822612B2 (en) Antenna device, communication apparatus and radar module
US6362795B2 (en) Antenna apparatus and transmission and receiving apparatus using the same
CA2276879C (en) Antenna device, and transmitting/receiving unit
US20100188309A1 (en) Radar antenna
JP2001111336A (ja) マイクロストリップアレーアンテナ
CN114976616B (zh) 天线、天线组件、雷达射频前端及电子设备
Singh et al. Low RCS Automotive Radar Antenna with Beam Steering Capability
EP4439111A1 (en) Radar system
EP4439859A1 (en) Radar antenna system
WO2024168590A1 (zh) 波导装置及相关产品
EP4439860A1 (en) Transmission line network for a radar antenna system
WO2023228751A1 (ja) 電子機器
Aga Advanced waveguide antennas for automotive radar
CN118285021A (zh) 一种天线、探测装置和终端

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: PANASONIC CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KIRINO, HIDEKI;YAMAMOTO, ISAO;WATANABE, MASASHI;SIGNING DATES FROM 20110113 TO 20110120;REEL/FRAME:026256/0099

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551)

Year of fee payment: 4

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20220715